Under these circumstances she had prudently secured the gates and ramparts of Jhansi with her own soldiers, leaving the fort and cantonments without the city in the possession of Ahmad Khan, whose sullen attitude she viewed with anxiety. While the Mohammedan noble seemed to possess every evil trait to which mortal flesh is heir, she fully appreciated the control of his ferocious bravery, as an awe inspiring weapon to hold over the heads of those who yet disputed her title. His plea of sickness, as an excuse for his absence from her court, if a ruse to screen other motives, was not confirmed by any sign of action. She was led to hope, that by the use of subtle influence, his allegiance might be retained without making too great a sacrifice to his ambition. How to accomplish this was the question of the hour. The Rani was seated in one of her private apartments discussing the news of the morning with Prasad, when Bipin entered. He paused within the door, and glanced suspiciously at the Hindu noble. "Well, learned Secretary," greeted Prasad affably, "Thy face seems to reflect the scowl of the elements. Doth the weight of thy exalted office press too heavily upon thy turban"? "Thanks to the Rani's graciousness," returned Bipin, "my turban rests lightly enough; and its folds well protect my ears," he added significantly. "He shall not imagine," thought Bipin, "that I am not forewarned of his accursed design." Prasad laughed good naturedly as he regarded the unusual size of the secretary's head covering. "It is almost large enough to protect thy nose as well, good Bipin," he suggested. The solemn expression on the secretary's face deepened as he received what he believed to be sure confirmation of the evil lurking in Prasad's mind. "As the saying is, noble sir," he rejoined with an assumption of sage gravity. "He who looks well to the roof of his house need trouble little about an approaching storm." "Truly Bipin, thou art a philosopher," remarked the Rani with a smile. "Aye, always by thy favor, noble Lady," he answered. "I keep a good watch not only upon my nose and ears, but upon all my other possessions." The secretary concluded this passage of words with a wary look directed toward Prasad. He then advanced and delivered a missive to the Rani. "From the Maharaja Sadescheo of Shahpur," he said, bowing. "A messenger hath just delivered it at the palace." The Rani took the letter eagerly. "Ah," she exclaimed. "Now we shall know whether Sadescheo's newly acquired martial spirit leads him to join the Peshwa. If I mistake not, his avarice prompts him to cast longing eyes upon the revenues of Jhansi. It is a treasure chest rather than honor which men like Sadescheo crave." She hastily opened the letter and gathered its contents. "Go," she cried with a commanding air, to Bipin. "Go, but remain within call, as I may need thy services." When Bipin had retired, she handed the letter to Prasad.